Farmland prices continue 20-year rise

Published January 14, 2013 at 8:00 am

Fewer buyers in spite of high corn prices, low interest rates

By Steve TaffUniversity of Minnesota Extension

As farmland prices around the state of Minnesota have continued to increase over the past 20 years, it has left many farmers wondering if and when the farmland bubble may burst.
Steve Taff, economist with University of Minnesota Extension, said farmland prices have been rising steadily since 1990, and have peaked at a state average of over $3,500 per acre in 2010. Since 1992, Taff has conducted an annual farmland appraisal in coordination with the 100-year study organized by the University of Minnesota.

“There are two ‘drivers’ for high land prices,” Taff says, “high corn prices and low interest rates.”

If crop prices, especially corn, remain high and interest rates on treasury bills remain low, Taff foresees the potential for land prices to continue to appreciate.

As a result of these two factors, buying high-priced land may be attractive to many people. People may view high corn prices as an incentive because of the potential for increased revenue, while low interest rates make it much easier for producers to get loans and make the payments.

“No one knows — that’s the short answer as to whether these record farmland prices will soon drop,” Taff says.

“One main issue associated with high prices is that fewer farmers possess the capital necessary to be willing to bid on land,” Taff says.

This has caused existing member participation in many rural communities to be lower, and makes it difficult for new farm membership to be established. “It’s very hard for young people to get started. Many banks won’t finance new, young adult farmers.”

Taff noted that in the past three years these factors have contributed to there being only about one-half as much farmland sold compared to the preceding years. As a result of high prices, only 1 percent of Minnesota’s farmland is sold in a given year, leading to 50 percent of the farmland being leased. “While some land is listed, it may be pulled off the market when sellers don’t get the price they’re looking for.”

With prices expected to continue to rise, Taff cautions prospective land buyers to be careful and take necessary precautions.

“Consider your financial situation, get some good advice from creditors, and think of your family. I worry that there are a few farmers out there on the verge of getting overextended when looking to finance their farm.”

For more information visit www.extension.umn.edu/AgBusiness or www.cffm.umn.edu.